[Federal Register: March 20, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 54)]
[Notices]
[Page 13715-13717]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20mr03-73]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
[Document Identifier: CMS-10085]
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Solicitation
of Applications
Agency: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) (formerly known as the Health Care Financing
Administration (HCFA)), Department of Health and Human Services, is
publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public
comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility
of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of
the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology to minimize the information
collection burden.
We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information
collection referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency
review because the collection of this information is needed before the
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR
part 1320. This is necessary to ensure compliance with the Trade Act of
2002. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures
because of an unanticipated event and public harm.
A part of the President's New Freedom Initiative and Executive
Order 13217, the Demonstration to Improve the Direct Service Workforce
presents an opportunity for States and community organizations to
improve the recruitment and retention of direct service workers. The
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is the agency within the
Department of Health and Human Services charged with developing and
administering this program.
For FY 2003, $9 million dollars was budgeted to fund this
demonstration program and an additional $3 million is expected to be
budgeted for FY 2004. Because funding for this demonstration appears as
part of the FY 2003 budget, it is necessary to award grants to States
and community-based organizations before October 1, 2003.
We need to seek emergency approval because we need three months
between the time that applicants must submit their proposals and the
time of award. Overall we are expecting a large volume of grant
applications. We will need the three months to sort, review and score
the awards and prepare award packages.
CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by
April 21, 2003, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the
individuals designated below by April 7, 2003.
[[Page 13716]]
During this 180-day period, we will publish a separate Federal Register
notice announcing the initiation of an extensive 60-day agency review
and public comment period on these requirements. We will submit the
requirements for OMB review and an extension of this emergency
approval.
Type of Information Request: New collection; Type of Information
Collection: Medicaid Program: Demonstration To Improve the Direct
Service Workforce; CMS Form Number: CMS-10085 (OMB 0938-NEW);
Use: Executive Order 13217, ``Community-Based Alternatives for
Individuals with Disabilities'' provides for the establishment of
grants for states and community groups that develop and implement
demonstration programs designed to increase the pool of direct care
service workers, who help support people with disabilities in the
community, through recruitment and retention strategies. State agencies
and community groups will be applying for these grants; Frequency: On
occasion; Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government; Not-for-
profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 15; Total Annual Responses:
15; Total Annual Burden Hours: 300. We have submitted a copy of this
notice to OMB for its review of these information collections. A notice
will be published in the Federal Register when approval is obtained.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's
Web site address at http://cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra/default.asp or
e-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number,
and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@hcfa.gov, or call the Reports
Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.
Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the
burden or any other aspect of these collections of information
requirements. However, as noted above, in order to be considered in the
OMB approval process, comments on these information collection and
recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed to the designees
referenced below, by April 7, 2003.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic
Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development
and Issuances, Attn: Reports Clearance Officer, Room C5-16-03, 7500
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Fax Number: (410) 786-
3064. Attn: Julie Brown;
and,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC
20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or (202) 395-5167, Attn: Brenda
Aguilar, CMS Desk Officer.
Solicitation: This notice also serves as an announcement for
solicitation of applications for the grants, as follows:
Title of Grant: The Demonstration to Improve the Direct Service
Workforce
Authority: The Demonstration to Improve the Direct Services
Workforce is authorized by the President's Executive Order 13217,
``Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities.'' The
Demonstration is part of the President's New Freedom Initiative, which
calls for the removal of barriers to community living for people with
disabilities. CMS is the designated HHS agency with administrative
responsibility for this program.
Who Is Eligible to Apply: Two types of State agencies in eligible
States may apply: (a) The Single State Medicaid Agency or (b) any other
agency or instrumentality of a State (as determined under State law).
In addition, community-based organizations that provide some
combination of direct services, education, training and/or outreach are
eligible to apply.
By ``State'' we refer to the definition provided under 45 CFR 74.2
as ``any of the several States of the United States, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession
of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of a State
exclusive of local governments.'' ``Territory or possession'' is
defined as Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
For purposes of this grant program, community-based organizations
must have a clearly defined mission of community service, be
established under state law, and have a formalized financial structure
with the capacity for tracking and reporting on grant funds. Examples
of organizations that might want to consider applying include
Independent Living Centers (ILCs), consumer associations, community-
outreach programs, assertive-community treatment providers, workforce
development programs and others. Community-based providers possess an
often-underutilized source of knowledge, expertise and commitment for
identifying and supporting direct service workers.
Amount and Timing of Awards: The demonstration projects may last
for 36 months. CMS intends to offer $6 million in funding nationally in
FY 2003 and an additional $3 million in funding in FY 2004. CMS will
announce the first grant awards in October of 2003. The grant period
for this solicitation will run 36 months from October 1, 2003 through
September 30, 2006. The maximum grant award will be $1.5 million per
state agency or $750,000 per coalition or non-governmental applicant.
Purpose: The purpose of this demonstration program is to develop
and implement programs that will increase the pool of direct care
service workers, who help support people with disabilities in the
community, through recruitment and retention strategies. Examples of
potentially fundable demonstration programs may focus on: wage or time-
off incentives, continuing education, outreach to underserved
populations, cultural or logistical barriers. This list is not meant to
be comprehensive. Entities applying for the demonstration program are
encouraged to submit their own ideas for recruitment and retention of
direct care service workers.
For Additional Information: An application kit containing all
instructions and forms needed to apply for The Demonstration to Improve
the Direct Services Workforce can be downloaded from the New Freedom
Initiative Web site at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/default.asp.
Initiative Web site at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/default.asp.
If an organization does not have access to the Internet, an application
kit may be obtained by writing: Attn: Marian Webb, Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services, OICS, AGG, Grants Management Staff, Mailstop C2-
21-15, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. E-mail:
MWebb@cms.hhs.gov.
Questions about CMS's announcement or application package can be
directed to: Carey O'Connor Appold, Center for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Disabled and
Elderly Health Programs Group, Room S2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-2117, e-mail:
COconnor2@cms.hhs.gov. Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered by
Friday, June 20, 2003. Applications mailed through the U.S. Postal
Service or a commercial delivery service will be considered on time if
they are received in CMS's Grants Office or postmarked by this date.
Submissions by facsimile (fax) transmission will not be accepted. An
original proposal should be sent with seven copies to: Attn: Marian
Webb, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, OICS, AGG, Grants
Management Staff, Mai 500
[[Page 13717]]
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.
Dated: March 13, 2003.
Julie Brown,
Acting CMS Reports Clearance Officer, Office of Strategic Operations
and Strategic Affairs, Division of Regulations Development and
Issuances.
[FR Doc. 03-6650 Filed 3-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P